Kelly Ripa Can’t Find Michael Strahan Replacement?

Kelly Ripa can’t find a replacement for Michael Strahan? That’s what a new report claims, even saying “Live with Kelly” is in “jeopardy.” Gossip Cop can exclusively separate the fact from the fiction.

“Kelly Ripa Crisis: ‘Live With Kelly’ Host Facing Unemployment, Can’t Fill Michael Strahan’s Job?” reads a headline from Celeb Dirty Laundry, which writes, “Kelly Ripa’s television career on ‘Live With Kelly’ is in hot water. There’s new speculation that Kelly Ripa might find herself without a morning talk show or worse, in the unemployment line, as she’s struggling to find a replacement for her former co-host Michael Strahan.”

The site goes on to say, “Kelly Ripa has tested out several potential Michael Strahan replacements over the summer, but so far none have worked out. This is mostly because everyone is well aware of the stigma that comes with working with a high-maintenance diva like Kelly Ripa. The television host’s jealous and immature behavior upon hearing Michael Strahan’s transfer to ‘Good Morning America’ has made her one of the least likable figures on television.”

“Knowing how much Kelly Ripa will use her star power and demands to keep her show on the air for as long as she can, it will only be a matter of time before she is potentially pink-slipped by ABC and ‘Live With Kelly’ closes its doors,” says the webloid, adding, “Apparently, Kelly Ripa can’t carry a show on her own and if she doesn’t fill Michael Strahan’s job, then her morning television show will be in jeopardy.”

Of course, the outlet doesn’t have a single source to back up its claims. This isn’t reporting. It’s baseless speculation.

Ripa has spent most of the spring and summer working alongside potential Strahan replacements. In recent weeks, the show has been on its annual hiatus, with repeats airing as the talk show’s staff takes well-deserved time-off. It was never expected that a new co-host would be named by now.

Ripa isn’t “struggling to find a replacement,” nor is she “facing unemployment.” The process is playing out just as planned, and “Live with Kelly” will most definitely be back this fall, with Ripa joined by a new colleague down the road. What’s more, though, is Gossip Cop is exclusively told that Ripa’s relationship with ABC “has never been stronger,” and wannabe co-hosts “have fallen over themselves trying to get on with her.” In other words, Celeb Dirty Laundry couldn’t be more wrong.